Celtic crosses, Vormsi Island, a photo from Laanemaa, West

Photographer's Note

Celtic crosses, Vormsi Island

Known as “snake island” and previously inhabited by coastal Swedes it was closed off during the Soviet occupation. The unique blend of Soviet and Swedish history mixed with unspoilt nature is very interesting.
Vormsi is located between Hiiumaa Island and the mainland.

Covering 92 square kilometers it’s Estonia`s fourth largest island.
The name Vormsi is derived from its German name "Worms" or its Swedish name "Ormsö" (both meaning "snake island").

Historically Vormsi was inhabited by coastal Swedes and before World War II more than 2500 people lived on the island. During the Soviet occupation Vormsi was a closed border-zone, where guests could arrive only with government permission and where it was strictly forbidden (even for the local fishermen) to go to sea.

Nowadays you can get an insight into the early history of Vormsi from the church built in the 14th century. Vormsi cemetery is the only place in Estonia where you can see Celtic crosses from the 13th century.

Vormsi with its juniper fields, seaside meadows, erratic boulders and lighthouses is best toured by bicycleor on foot. Enjoythe various habitats, like coastal grasslands, reed beds, alvars, forests, bays and lagoons that support numerous plant and bird species. To protect the habitat for rare species the Vormsi Landscape Reserve was formed in 2000.

To get to Vormsi Island you can take a ferry (trip is 12km and takes 45minutes) from Rohuküla port (108 km from Tallinn). There is also a public transportation between the port and the island’s centre Hullos. If you’re going by car, make sure you refuel, because there aren't any petrol stations on Vormsi.

Vormsi is for people interested in rare nature, peace and quiet. It also appeals to Swedish history or Soviet history enthusiasts. (Source: visitestonia)

snunney, jhm, Gigidusud, timecapturer, kathryn_weir, tedesse, saxo042, besnard, jlbrthnn, brianmcc, carlo62, Sonata11, siamesa, mkamionka, danos, Royaldevon, Schnappilic, bona, bukitgolfb301, kordinator, lucasgalodoido has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130965) 2012-10-01 3:00

Hello George,
Interesting composition from this place with an interesting history. The light was not easy, but you have managed it reasonably well. I like the use of the foreground cross as an anchor point and to give the image depth. I don't think I have seen so many Celtic crosses in one place.

jhm (189827) 2012-10-01 3:45

Hello George,

Different wars have a lot people together brought, but also destroyed.
A remembrance a long time ago, happy are the crosses yet ever on his place
Lovely depth and perspective image.
Excellent composition, nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice new week,
John

mohammad_H (10178) 2012-10-01 4:10

Hi
Beautiful view with great clarity, the right combination
Cross trees, peace and quiet environment like a graveyard
Good day

Gigidusud (21669) 2012-10-01 4:54

Hello George,
Interesting note and nice photo for illustrate the story.Great light management.
Bonne semaine,
Ghislaine

Sergiom (114371) 2012-10-01 5:27

Bonjour George,

J'aime beaucoup la construction de cette image. J'aime la rencontre de la lumière et des ombres, le soleil qui joue entre les croix celtiques.

Amicalement

Serge

timecapturer (49288) 2012-10-01 6:21

Hi György
fascinating shot of these wonderful monuments. The light here is what gives the shot atmosphere and it is perfectly managed. An intriguing and original shot that is presented so beautifully.

Have a great week - regards Brian.

kathryn_weir (2056) 2012-10-01 6:52

Hello George,
Thanks for your informative notes. Such a peacefilled shot this one with those lovely rounded celtic crosses scattered through your frame and great use of the late afternoon shadow
Thanks for sharing
kathryn

tedesse (25147) 2012-10-01 6:54

Hi George!
Nice frame and the composition of the cemetery showing Celtic crosses.
Beautiful colors and light shades, excellent sharpness.
Have a nice afternoon
Tadeusz

saxo042 (38078) 2012-10-01 7:20

Hy György,
The round crosses and the straight vertical lines of the trees provide a good pattern in this composition. You have also included a very interesting note too!
Kind regards
Gunnar

besnard (59036) 2012-10-01 9:34

Bonjour George
Un bon jeu d'ombres et de lumières sur ces croix celtiques dispersées sur le terrain. On en rencontre aussi dans ma région la Bretagne.
Amitiés
Nicole

jlbrthnn (76041) 2012-10-01 9:39

Hello George,
These are very interesting historical relics. The composition is skillfully managed with the cross in the foreground and the grassy space. An interesting and good photo. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

cornejo (60786) 2012-10-01 10:07

Hello György, very good photo of this interesting and historical place, nice picture made with good technique and quality. Very good and interesting job superbly done, congratulations my friend. Tfs.

Good night and happy week.
Greetings from Spain.
Angel.

mauro61 (53411) 2012-10-01 12:01

ciao George,
l'inquadratura era obbligata e quindi la luce non è al meglio ma la foto merita per l'effetto che suscitano tra gli alberi tutte queste croci,
buona serata
maurizio

brianmcc (6221) 2012-10-01 14:51

hi george,
the little graveyard is wonderful, very characteristic and romantic. the crosses are quite wonderful. lovely light creating nice areas of light and shade.
regads,
brian

carlo62 (80711) 2012-10-01 15:26

Ciao George
una luce trasversale colpisce alberi ed ombre rendendo il tutto più drammatico, come si conviene all'occasione.
Un luogo mistico ed interessante, come la tua nota.
Saluti
Carlo

siamesa (28217) 2012-10-02 1:51

Bom dia George

I say this cross in a page of FB of a friend of mine and I didn't know about it. thanks for sharing.The photo is spectacular.
Abraços
maria

dkmurphys (77034) 2012-10-02 5:56

Hi Gyorgy,
Impressive place taken in a perfect management of sunlight. A symbol of European civilization. Good catch!

Daniel

mkamionka (52480) 2012-10-02 6:59

Hi George,
not only is this country so underrepresented on TE but this place seems so interesting and unusual.
The celtic crosses look very different than those which you can see in Ireland or in Britain although there is the similarity of course. I have never seen this type of cross before. Very attractive presentation. Nice atmosphere captured as well. Great job, thanks for sharing.
I am lookng forward to see more from Estonia in your gallery,
M

danos (110395) 2012-10-02 10:32

Hello George,
nice the view as the presentation of the Celtic crosses in the island's forest with the play of the light and the shadows to make the image so effective.I like the good presentation as the informative note.

Regards,Danos

Royaldevon (63187) 2012-10-02 15:56

Hello George,

This really fulfills TE objectives.
I have never heard of this place before but find the notes nad the photograph extremely interesting.
You had very strong light to contend with and have controlled most of it well. The contrasting light and shadows reveal the undulations of the land, whilst the well placed cross anchors the scene and links it nicely with the further crosses within the frame.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Schnappilic (9692) 2012-10-03 13:25

Hello György,

Interesting note about this fine place. Lovely presentation using a good framing. TFS!

All the best!

Ovidiu

bona (14053) 2012-10-04 11:10

Hi George,

I never note that Estonia is so close to the Baltic countries (Norway, Sweeden and Finland) and even less that the celtic culture arrived there too. A fantastic historical documentation. Love the light and colors.

have a nice day
Andre

Silvio1953 (189271) 2012-10-05 9:54

Ciao George, great parade of celtic crosses in a beautiful, forest, fantastio light, excellent clarity and wonderful natural colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

bukitgolfb301 (53018) 2012-10-06 1:23

Hi dear Georege

Sorry for my late reaction as weekday was so busy.
Oh new seresi will start from today, George?
Another impressive shot. A little different subject, but always top quality needless to say. Perfect framework and stable composition as usual. Wonderful and tasetful color touch too. Thank you for your sharing and have a good weekend!

Takero from Tokyo

kordinator (15773) 2012-10-06 15:27

Hello György
Very good photo of this interesting and historical place, nice picture made with good technique and quality.
Nice play of light and shadows.
Kind regards
Saša

John_F_Kennedy (43763) 2012-11-26 6:00

Hello George,
Nice excursion to antiquity. A good POV on that. well done.
best wishes,
Achim

sacimar (36527) 2012-12-06 10:02

Hello Gyorgy,

I like this image, the play of light and shadow is interesting, this place has a special atmosphere, well seen,

Best regards,

Sergio

tenretin (3096) 2014-02-24 5:05

Hello George,
You made a beautiful picture. It is balanced and well composed, more colors are natural.
Well done!.
Regards,
JP

lucasgalodoido (26028) 2015-07-20 8:07

Olá George,
curiosas mesmo essas cruzes, e o local parece ser bem interessante.
Parabéns e Abraço,
Lucas